Tough 75002
enthusiast
Posts: 744
Reg: 11-17-04
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07-03-10 10:12 AM - Post#114050
I had my oil changed and they came back to tell me I needed a radiator flush and a transmission fluid flush.
Cost...$200.00.
I am just curious if this is a fare cost.
Also, how can I tell if this really is necessary?
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Michael
enthusiast
Posts: 2076
Loc: Allen
Reg: 05-20-02
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07-03-10 12:33 PM - Post#114054
In response to Tough 75002
Auto Bob can probably answer better then me, but here is my 2 cents.
Oil change is around $20-$30 on a normal car.
I think radiator flush is in the $30-$45 range. Some say you need to do this every two years. I normally only do it every four years. On a side note, I had an oil change place flush my radiator (because it is not rocket science). He told me my system was in terrible shape. Look how orange it is from rust. I informed him that the normal color of the antifreeze (that was used at that time). I still don't think he believed me.
I think transmission flushes are around $55-$75 but I not sure. Transmission flushes are USELESS. Never have your transmission flushed. Always drain it, drop the pan and change the filter. I think I paid about $75 at a local (not major brand) transmission shop. I am probably a bad person but I usually only change my transmission fluid every 80-100,000 miles.
| I don't suffer from insanity. I enjoy every minute of it! |
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Blanco
member
Posts: 69
Loc: Allen TX
Reg: 06-11-01
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07-03-10 12:57 PM - Post#114055
In response to Tough 75002
In most cases a "flush" isn't worth the extra cost over and above what a drain and fill would run you. Your owner's manual will be your best resource for when and what to do.
Rule of thumb: Change antifreeze about every 30k miles, or once every 2 to 3 years based on driving habits. Changing your transmission fluid can vary widely between manufacturers. Again depends on how many miles you drive in a year. I think a reasonable average would be 40-50k miles.
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DrivinTooFast
enthusiast
Posts: 1874
Reg: 02-20-08
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07-04-10 07:26 PM - Post#114084
In response to Tough 75002
I had my oil changed and they came back to tell me I needed a radiator flush and a transmission fluid flush.
Cost...$200.00.
I am just curious if this is a fare cost.
Also, how can I tell if this really is necessary?
Who is they? Dealership or independant shop?
Follow your owners manual.
The only way a transmission flush is better than a fill is that the torque converter is tough to drain. I also recommend switching to synthetic fluids for the trans if possible. Radiator and trans flushes might be the most overlooked maintenance on a car.
If the car is a minivan, I also recommend adding an inline transmission cooler. Minivan transmissions are notorious for breaking down fluids quickly.
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Tough 75002
enthusiast
Posts: 744
Reg: 11-17-04
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07-05-10 08:34 PM - Post#114127
In response to DrivinTooFast
It was a local quick change oil place, very well known brand name.
I have an older car and the miles are starting to get up there.
Definately maintenance outside of my skill set.
I am going to call Auto Bob tomorrow to get his advise for my make, model for the car.
Thanks to everyone for their feedback.
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Brewer
enthusiast
Posts: 1421
Reg: 06-02-07
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07-05-10 11:45 PM - Post#114132
In response to Tough 75002
I consider a tranny flush a waste of money. Like another poster stated, "drop the pan ( 8-12 bolts)
remove the screen (2 bolts) reattach the screen, (same two bolts). Maybe a new gasket but in many cases the gasket is intregal to the pan. If you need a new gasket it will be in the kit. Do not over tighten the pan bolts. Really no harder than changing a lightbulb. If you find a little plastic plug in the pan you can throw it away. It is placed in the fill tube hole at the factory and pushed into the pan when the fill tube is inserted.
Coolent flush interval can be as long as 75,000 miles and is even easier than a trans filter job.
A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.
-GEN George S. Patton
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DrivinTooFast
enthusiast
Posts: 1874
Reg: 02-20-08
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07-06-10 07:06 AM - Post#114135
In response to Tough 75002
It was a local quick change oil place, very well known brand name.
I have an older car and the miles are starting to get up there.
Definately maintenance outside of my skill set.
I am going to call Auto Bob tomorrow to get his advise for my make, model for the car.
Thanks to everyone for their feedback.
Ah this makes sense. Oil change shops focus on one thing sucking as much money out of your wallet while the car is up on the rack.
NEVER NEVER NEVER let these unskilled, snot nosed kids do anything more than fill the windshield washer reserve tank. Trust me, I worked at one in College and they amount of training I received prior to working on cars was zippo. Here the wrench kid - start turning it.
Transmissions especially!!! The auto transmission is the most complicated mechanical devise in the car. Many transmissions require very specialized fluids that these quick grease places may or may not have. These quick places take no responsibility when you have a nice dead trans caused by improper fluids - warranty is voided too.
I do all my trans, maintenance at the dealership or myself.
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Michael
enthusiast
Posts: 2076
Loc: Allen
Reg: 05-20-02
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07-06-10 08:17 AM - Post#114139
In response to DrivinTooFast
NEVER NEVER NEVER let these unskilled, snot nosed kids do anything more than fill the windshield washer reserve tank.
They can't even do that correctly. They always put water in it...or try in my case. I tell them to stay away from the windshield washer reserve tank UNLESS they are putting in windshield washer fluid. You know, the kind that DOES NOT FREEZE! I get the weirdest looks.
| I don't suffer from insanity. I enjoy every minute of it! |
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DrivinTooFast
enthusiast
Posts: 1874
Reg: 02-20-08
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07-06-10 11:05 AM - Post#114150
In response to Michael
NEVER NEVER NEVER let these unskilled, snot nosed kids do anything more than fill the windshield washer reserve tank.
They can't even do that correctly. They always put water in it...or try in my case. I tell them to stay away from the windshield washer reserve tank UNLESS they are putting in windshield washer fluid. You know, the kind that DOES NOT FREEZE! I get the weirdest looks.
Haa! You know as I was writing that I realized they are sometimes so green they end up putting washer fluid in the coolant.
Seriously, Keep your cars out of these shops.
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Automobob
Community Expert
Posts: 167
Loc: TEXAS, COLLIN
Reg: 04-13-06
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07-23-10 02:08 PM - Post#115084
In response to Tough 75002
An oil change can vary so much depending upon the type of oil to quantity your engine requires. The average qts. of oil volumn and average filter would be a cost of around $30-$35 out the door cost. Transmission services (where you change the filter and gasket as well as the fluid)average cost less than a hundred to a hundred and thirty. Some of the foreign cars/trks only have a screen instead of a filter and thus the cost is less...usually around $45 because you are not required to change a filter or gasket and less labor is involved. A coolant flush with regular antifreeze about $85; requiring extended life coolant slightly more. Hope this helps! 
BOB ELLIS--
ALLEN CAR CARE CENTER |
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